Entries categorized "Miscellaneous"

March 23, 2009

Franciscan friar William of Ockham is attributed the principle of Occam's razor.

This is often paraphrased as "All things being equal, the simplest solution tends to be the best one."

In other words, when multiple competing theories are equal in other respects, the principle recommends selecting the theory that introduces the fewest assumptions and postulates the fewest hypothetical entities. It is in this sense that Occam's razor is usually understood.

November 06, 2008

When trying a new technique for the first time, imagine yourself as having already used it successfully in the past.

Spend a few minutes mentally role-playing and being successful with the new technique. Your mind does not know the difference between something vividly imagined and something real.

In a study, a group of people spent 20 minutes a day getting into a deeply relaxed state andvisualizing themselves shooting free throws. When they missed, they would visualizethemselves correcting their aim accordingly. The group, which practiced in theirminds, improved their scoring 23%. Amazingly, mental practice yielded results almostidentical to physical practice.

The first few times you use any new technique, it will likely feel awkward and unnatural – that is normal. Remember, “No pain, no gain.”

October 24, 2008

Be the best at what you do. While this is good advice at any time, it’s particularly relevant when times are tough. Have you ever seen the “top salesperson” let go before an underachiever?

Invest in yourself. Spending money to improve your skills or become better at your job is a wise investment that will never decrease its value.

Generate revenues or cut costs. Constantly find way to help your company save money and make more of it.

Be visible. If times are tight, it may not be the best time to take a vacation or request extended time off. Tough times are the times to stand out and be known.

Cultivate a great working relationship with your boss. This is just good business, and it doesn’t mean having to kiss ass. If it does, it’s time for a new job anyway!

Toot your own horn. This is the time to “add value” to your job or position while at the same time, making sure it is noticed (Without being obnoxious that is)

Improve yourself. Now is the time to be better at what you do, than you were yesterday. It’s simply not good enough to just be good.

No whining. Attitude can be everything. If a company needs to “scale back” the team, those that go last are the ones with a great / positive attitude and everyone enjoys being around.

Never stop networking. If the unfortunate day should come that you are let go, with ample connections, the odds of finding a new position quickly are greatly enhanced.Update your resume. This is a practice that should remain constant. As they say in the Boy Scouts, “Be Prepared.”

Set up an emergency fund. One should have 6 months salary saved to get them through a tough spot should it occur.

Develop a second career interest. Should your position be lost, have a fall back plan that may end up growing into something you love even more!

October 13, 2008

- Lucky people know what they want, therefore it is easier to recognize when it crosses their path. This is also one of the basic laws of attraction.

- Lucky people have a great sense of what they don’t want, so they don’t spend a lot of time focusing on, or chasing, low priority goals and aspirations.

- Lucky people see the big picture and have the ability to see the forest for the trees.

- Lucky people do not generalize. By not having preconceived ideas or generalizations, it allows them to see opportunities that are often closed off to others.

- Lucky people are open to new things and ideas. The more experiences one has, the greater chance of stumbling across something new and exciting.

- Lucky people consider themselves lucky! Have you ever known someone that is constantly talking about how unlucky they are? Well, it’s the same concept in reverse. If you tell yourself how lucky you are everyday, before long, it actually becomes your reality.

- Lucky people work hard and are willing to pay the price for the things they want. "I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." Thomas Jefferson

- Lucky people are optimistic. Their glass is half full and they tend to see the upside and opportunities in the challenges that confront them.

October 06, 2008

There is a disturbing trend I’ve noticed in the past few years that is not only costing sales professionals but also the companies in which they work. This trend is not only unacknowledged, but fluffed off as insignificant. What is this evil disturbance in the universe? It’s reading while talking. . . .

Now hear me out before you laugh or click away.It is a proven fact that a human is incapable of reading to comprehend while thinking about something else at the same time. Okay, go ahead and try it. . . .I’ll wait.

However, I see scores of professionals on the phone engaging a customer or prospect, while also looking/reading the latest news or daily horoscope. If we expect our customers and prospects to spend their valuable time talking to us, shouldn’t they demand 100% of our attention? You can save yourself embarrassing mistakes and more accurately understand your prospects needs when you are actively listening. So go ahead and put down that paper or shut off that computer screen – you might just pick up a prospect or make a customer’s day.

September 29, 2008

Are you looking for snappy transitional phrases for your conversation or presentation but don’t want to sound like a tacky sales person? Here are some effective transitional phrases that will help you push your sale, without sounding pushy:

Best of all . . . Simply stated . . . We’re sure you’ll agree that . . .That is where_____ fits in.One thing is for sure . . . This we promise . . . That’s why . . . But that’s just part of the story . . . What’s more . . . No wonder . . . The way we look at it . . . To show you what we mean . . . Most importantly . . .Here’s why . . .

September 22, 2008

History is filled with stories of successful individuals with less than promising beginnings. Here are just a few. . .

Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He was subsequently defeated in every election for public office until he became Prime Minister at the age of 62. He later wrote, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never.

Sigmund Freud was booed from the podium when he first presented his ideas to the scientific community of Europe. He returned to his office and kept on writing.

Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15th out of 22 students in chemistry.

Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.

F. W. Woolworth was not allowed to wait on customers when he worked in a dry goods store because his boss said, "He didn't have enough sense."

When Bell telephone was struggling to get started, its owners offered all their rights to Western Union for $100,000. The offer was disdainfully rejected with the pronouncement, "What use could this company make of an electrical toy."

And one of my personal favorites. . .

Daniel Boone was once asked by a reporter if he had ever been lost in the wilderness. Boone thought for a moment and replied, "No, but I was once bewildered for about three days."

May 05, 2008

One thing is certain; the only thing you can count on is change. Therefore you only have two choices when it comes to change, accept it and prosper or resist it and watch the rest of the world pass you and your business by.

I’ll never forget calling a typewriter company with a business proposal in the early eighties, only to hear the owner bitch and complain about how business is at an all time low and getting worse by the month. I recall thinking to myself, “get a clue and start selling word processors or computers you *&%#.”

While my example is and was an obvious one, most change is subtle and creeps up on you over time, blinding you from its positive or adverse potential.

In 1829 Martin Van Buren who was then the Governor of New Your State wrote the following message to the President.

“The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation know as ‘railroads’. . . As you may well know, railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by engines, which in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside. The almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.”

So, like it or not change is occurring at this very moment – go out and welcome it like a friend and lover. It will never let you down.